Search Me!

Loading...

Current Giveaways

No current giveaways!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Review: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn AndersonExpected Publication Date: July 3rd, 2012Publisher: HarperTeenPage Count: 304 pagesFormat: ARCSource: PublisherGoodreads | Amazon | IndieBound
* I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *Warning: This review may contain spoilers if you are unfamiliar with the Peter Pan story

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Peaches comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up.

I just have to start out by saying that this book broke my heart. It tore it into little tiny pieces and made little effort to put it back together. I fell so head over in heels in love with these characters, immersed myself into their lives so much, that their love and heartbreak nearly tore me to pieces. Tiger Lily is told from Tink's POV, who remains an outsider to the lives of those around her, but I loved this method of narration because it really allowed me to become part of the story. Tink lets us in on everyone's secrets while never being accepted into the story herself. Jodi Lynn Anderson is an amazing writer and story teller, and this story has imbedded itself so deeply into my heart that I can't shake the pain it's caused me. The raw emotion that radiates from Tiger Lily is a roller coaster experience that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you begging for more.

Tiger Lily is one of the best female protagonists I've read about in a long time. She's tough, unconventionally pretty, stubborn, but loyal to a t. Being raised by a community of people who fear and hate her has hardened her heart and made it hard for someone to penetrate her rough exterior. Peter Pan is just as tough, just as stubborn, and just as jaded. Peter, however, is willing to take a leap and extend his heart. Their relationship became something I loved watching, and despite knowing how this fairy tale ends the ephemeral qualities easily slipped past me. Tink also became someone I grew to love, despite having hated her for most of my childhood. I loved that Anderson provided some explanations for Tink's hostile behavior towards Wendy.

Seeing such a unique twist on the characters really made me think back to watching all of those Peter Pan movies, which I was obsessed with, and Anderson makes it easy to see such a different spin on this classic fairy tale. Tinker Bell, a fairy who has always ben viewed as being a jealous wench in my eyes, is turned into something heartbreaking and loyal. Tiger Lily, a girl we learn very little about in classic movies becomes a heroine with whom we fall madly in love. The world building is also impeccable, wrapping Neverland up into something attainable while still remaining mysterious. The idea that Neverland is a physical place that can be reached only served to fuel my need to find this place for myself.

Jodi Lynn Anderson has worked her magic into my heart. I've fallen in love with her stories and her characters and I can't seem to get her out of my head. My heart rarely aches for characters in the way this story did, but I found myself experiencing real, physical pain while attempting to piece back together my broken heart. This story will have you twisted in so many ways you'll never want to let go. I can't recommend this book enough, I know I don't give ratings anymore, but 5 stars wouldn't be enough. If you're a fan of Peter Pan, I definitely suggest you pick Tiger Lily up right away. It will grab you by your heartstrings and never let go.

wowza this seems like an incredible book! I always had a thing for Peter Pan and its motif so I was already interested in this book. I'm especially curious about her world building, I love that she manages to flesh it out while making it still mysterious. This is such a lovely review, Anna!

Thank you! Her world building is awesome, she manages to incorporation Neverland into our own world, making it more of a reality than something mystical. I loved it :D It makes me want to go to Neverland right now!!!

Sounds amazing! I admit, when I heard about this book I wasn't going to read it . . . didn't interest me even though I do love the story of Peter Pan. But looks like I might need to reconsider. Great review!

What a great (and heartbreaking!) review! I've had my eye on this for a while and I've heard some fantastic things about this too. It sounds like a beautiful book and I'll definitely read it when it comes out.

Thank you!! The book is heartbreaking! I swear, I'm still thinking about how sad it is! My heart just smashed into a million pieces when I finished it. I really hope Jodi writes something else along these lines!!

I totally agree!!!! I was like OMG TINKER BELL YOU ARE AWESOME!!!! Dude seriously, I used to love Wendy, but after reading this I was like YOU NEED TO LEAVE! I kept hoping that she would just disappear. It broke my heart so bad, if only Tiger Lily came back when she said she would!!! :(

I cannot wait to read this book! I am not reading your review right now, sorry, lol! but I am bookmarking until I read/review it first! It's killing me not to know what people are saying, but I'm sure that it will be worth the wait :)

Great review! I'm so happy to hear you loved this book so much because I have a strong feeling that I will love it just as much too! I'm dying to read this book now. It sounds amazing and so does the twists that Anderson puts on the Peter Pan story. I will definitely be rushing out to buy this book July 3!

Oh, Anna, I'm so glad you fell in love with this book! As I told you on twitter, I put it aside after around 20 pages because I wasn't in the mood to read it. However, after reading about your incredible experience reading it, I'm tempted to start it again, like, NOW. Haha. Thanks for the wonderful review, Anna! :) <3

First, you changed your layout!! It's so pretty but still simple! I love it! This book wasn't even on my radar, but you've definitely made me want to read it! I don't know much about the Peter Pan story lol, just that Tinker Bell is a small fairy, but now I'm really intrigued. Will have to read this one. Thanks for the great review!

Amazing review! You've seriously made me want to read this book even more! I have a feeling this book is going to make me cry... I'm also glad that you get to see another side to Tink! Can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the review!

I just finished Tiger Lily late last night, and I was balling my eyes out! I completely agree with everything you've said in your review - this book is truly something! As always, brilliant review! :D~Zoe

I read and enjoy all comments that are posted. Unfortunately, I may not have the time to respond. If I do respond, it will be through visiting your blog. If you ask a question, I will try to reply to it here so check back!

LinkWithin

Share it

Disclaimer

According to FTC guidelines I must point out that all of the books that I review on my blog were either purchased by me or were given to me by the author/publisher. All words and opinions expressed are my own and I do not receive any monetary goods for writing reviews. I will state in my review which books I have received for review and which books I have purchased/borrowed. All images and synopsis are taken from Goodreads.com unless otherwise stated.

Authors and Publishers

I accept a very limited amount of review requests.

I am happy to post interviews upon request, especially for authors whose books I love. If I have recently featured your book somewhere on my blog and you would like to participate in a one on one interview, please email me at literaryexploration (at) yahoo (dot) com.